Ballot questions make a primary for all

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on May 10, 2021

The spring primary this year is next Tuesday, May 18 and this one is not just for voters registered as Democrats or Republicans. All who are registered will be able to vote because of several ballot questions that would affect the state Constitution.

Among the questions are two that evolved from Gov. Tom Wolf’s unilateral emergency declarations and extensions of the declarations.

File photo of Chadds Ford Township Supervisor Samantha Reiner using the drop box at the municipal building last year. The dropbox is also being used for next week's primary election.

One question asks whether the Constitution be amended to allow the General Assembly to have the ability to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration without needing the governor’s approval.

Formally, that question reads:

“Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration — and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration — through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?”

Another question asks whether an emergency declaration should automatically end after three weeks unless the General assembly extends it, and should the governor be prevented from declaring a new emergency based on the original situation without the consent of the General Assembly?

Again, the formal question asks:

“Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the Governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?”

Yet another question asks whether the Constitution be amended toad a section clearly stating that no person shall be denied his or her equal rights in Pennsylvania because of race or ethnicity.

The formal question reads:

“Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?”

There is also a fourth question that doesn’t deal with the Constitution. That one asks whether a voter approves expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services, and volunteer rescue squads under 35 PA.C.S. §7378. to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. In Chadds Ford Township, the ballot drop box at the township building is fully functional and is available during normal Township Office hours: Monday thru Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. On election day, dropbox will be open as long as the polling stations are open.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.